Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-03-09
aB4RRACK GHOST STORY

4 Ll.1
uPrsoner, lave you any objection K
h. tTiei by me as president or any
nsTher of this court-msrtlal:" asked
.Ia fs,d-oficer who had been detailed
;oT IN the duty OF presiding over the
co1rt ,s. Cor :, ,.,
- rnosr uuenyiable situation that
1,3rpIng NJ to be brought to the court
-oorn f5r trial. having been put back
hym IN commanding officer Il few days
S:,oTs on a charge OF having been
,sisao on nv post while on sentry; an
-TsTre characterized il my Indictment
as conduct in prejudice TO good srder
and military discipline"
The members composing tie court
Uere then sworn, and the trial pro-
.aadsd in tie cumbrous fashion pecu-
Far n military tribunals, the president
Iahorjously writing down every word OF
.yi5Ance As il was uttered. The ser
,a.rt who had been In charge or the
snsrs At the time of my alleged one1ce
sas the principal witness against me,
and he began TO describe, with gro.
ts,ouelv ungrammatical volubilIty, how
- had found me stretched on the
mound asleep; but was al once pulled
m short by the president, who ordered
lin TO say what he had to say in as
few words as possible.
WAS the prisoner soberY" asked one
a the officers when the sergeant had
finished his evidence.
"Quite sober, SIR replied the man
ofstripes.
The men who composed the relief
having cOrroborated the sergeant's
statement, was called upon for my
sefsnCe.
therefore narrated 10 the court that
shortly before my two hours on duty
had expired, l saw q white figure car
ying drawn sword pass close 10 my
POST; and that being of a nervous, ex-
ci.sbe temperament. l was so fright
sned that fell to the ground n an
unconscious state, and only recovered
when was aroused by the sergeant OF
tie guard.
Prisoner" remarked the president,
''in ny twenty years experience OF the
srmy, l have served on numerous
eOurts-martisl, and have heard ali
kinds Of ingenious defences put forward
by men in your present position In ex-
cuse Of the offences with which they
we're charged; but your line Of defence
Is the most remarkable that has come
under my observation. Who, do you
think, will credit a story OF that de-
scription? Assuredly not l for one.
Now, prisoner" continued the major
In kindly tone, 81 must advise you
that your action in Submitting TO the
court statement of that description
Is extremely iniudicious. You will do
yourself positive injury by per5evering
In II, not only in regard to the probable
extent OF your punishment, but also 10
Jour reputation as a soldier. 1t will
be faI better for you to simply own
that you were asleep. You are young
man who has served but six months IN
The regiment; so, under the circum-
stances, assuming that you adopt my
suggestion, which is assuredly meant
Tor your good, the court may think fit,
consistently with the duty demanded
Of 1t By the hard and fast requirement,
OF military law, TO recommend much
lighter sentence Of Imprisonment than
would be administered to an older and
more experienced member of the ser
Tice.n
u can only tell the truth, sir"
urged.
That, then, Is your defence-tha'
you were frightened by the hgure yol
SWt" asked the officer In tone Oi
vexation.
That is my defence, SIR" 1 replied.
very we'll" said the president,
writing down my statement. escort,
remove the prisoner. Stopl About
MS Character? Call the captain of hi:
company"
My captain answered the summons,
stated That my conduct had been NEST
exemplary, after which | received the
oog1mand; Left turn, quick marchH'
anu was removed to tie guard-roOm
anu the members of the cturt-martia
Degan their deliberations on the dura.
AVa OF the period of Imprisonment
WHICH they meant to administer to me
snail low relate the facts in con
se LECTION with the appearance of the
nsure alluded 10. At l o'clock Oh
oue morning of my arrest, L was posted
W sentry In front of a wall which had
zen on the face of cliff overhanging
tue Deaeh. Why that particular spoi
.elulTed guarding, when any attempt
" IEe part Of soldier 20 break out ol
barracks would be equivalent to com.
Uniting suicide. as the rock had a sheer
uuulohen descent Of ij0 feet, was {
matter OF puzzling speculation to ths
eH vi all regiments which in turr
occupied the quarters ! refer to. A
.a@ui'ion, however, which was related
" nle py an aged veteran who oficiatei
- oalrack laborer, threw some ligh
~ ~ me subject. Many years before
i-o oO!onel OF regiment which wa
aoUuV TO leave the town in order I,
emoaIk .taIk Tor India, placed sentry OF
~. Lo spot, 10 prevent his men from
.uloWlng over the cliff the rubbish tha
s1LSouuluiates AZ In changing quarters; an.
ore renewing regiment finding this ma.
ty ~ uuty, had supplied his place withou
uosollng themselves about the VIII
"n.. "nu wherefore; the post became il
consequence oOs a permanent institution
day. ' 'ne wall W thi
lit Le morning on which l was O.
Th Sqaiu was exceedingly cold and frosty
danS- ns moon shone brightly, throwing th
on.r.a n snaaow of the adjoining officers
suGters halfway across the parade